Adam Graham's Blog: Christians and Superheroes - Posts Tagged "peter-david"

Supergirl: Book One by Peter David

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book collects Issues 1-9 of Supergirl as well as the first annual and some back-up stories/supplementary material that appeared in Showcase 96 #8 and the Supergirl plus #1 team up with Mary Marvel.

Matrix, a protoplasmic version of Supergirl, joined with the dying Linda Danvers in part to save her and in part because Matrix Supergirl was unsure if she had a soul. Now, that she's combined with Linda, she's not sure that she got a good soul as she begins to discover wasn't just a victim of a satanic cult but a member and perhaps a killer.

The main Supergirl story has problems. There are moments that come off as over the top or absurd in their attempts to manufacture melodramatic bleaknress. There's also some lame jokes such as when the book tries to lamely riff on Mary Jane Watson's "You Hit the ing in the mixJackpot, Tiger" line from Amazing Spider-man for...reasons. On the other hand, the storyline does have some some interesting features. The consequences of what Matrix did is explored thoroughly with some great questions being raised as to what her nature is now, what Linda's past is, and what about her creepy boyfriend. And how does the new Linda/Supergirl relate to Linda's parents. You also have a big name DC villain getting in the mix even while mystery swirls around her new hometown.

It deals with religion and while some of the images are disturbing, I give it credit for not being totally dismissive and derisive of faith and Christianity in general.

The Supergirl Plus #1 finds Mary Marvel running away and running into a cop that tries to bring her alter ego in...or is he trying something far more sick. It's a somewhat uncomfortable topic, but I give David credit for exploring it.

The Annual has three different stories. The annual's art is awful and the stories range from just misses to pretty bad.

Overall, this isn't great but it holds my interest and me curious to read what comes next.



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Supergirl: Book Two by Peter David

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


So this book collects Issues 10-20 as well Annual #2 of Supergirl. We get a lot of weird stuff in this book as we explore the world of Supergirl. The book is a mixture of decent superhero battles, weird supernatural stories, and Peter David's somewhat shallow views of religion and religious people and why they believe and might lose their faith.

The book has some decent character moments and the art is usually good (except on the Powergirl-Supergirl crossover issue where they look the same except for their costumes.) My big complaint about the book is there were two tie-in issues (including the final issue in the book) and it's easy to become lost as to what's going on. A good practice is if it's a short crossover with another book to reprint the other issues. If it's a companywide event, either don't reprint the tie-ins or reprint them with context. That's what Marvel does and it makes a lot more sense than what's done here.

Overall, not essential, but still a somewhat interesting read.



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Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man by Peter David: The Complete Collection by Peter David

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects Peter David's entire run of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man (Issues 5-23, and Annual #1) prior to the infamous One More Day. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man was very much a subordinate series that would be constantly tying in to larger stories in Amazing Spider-man or the companywide crossover Civil War. Thankfully, the collection does keep you filled in on what you've missed.


Web Log (#5): This reads like a leftover story from the early 2000's Spider-man's Tangled Web, which is about a woman who thinks Spider-man is harassing her because she's been around for three different fights. Its actually a good character story and really keeps the reader's attention.

Masks (#6 and #7): A masked superpowered wrestler is blackmailed into a match with Spider-man. This is a decent story and it does help to set up Spider-man decision to unmask.

Jumping the Tracks (#8-10): David returns to an old playground with Spider-man 2099 (or Spider-man 2211) and the new Hobgoblin. It's a fun story though it feels like you'd get more out of it, if you knew more about Spider-man 2099.

I Hate a Mystery (#11-13): Peter has revealed his identity as part of Civil War and is being pushed out of his teaching job, but as he deals with that Mysterio comes to school, and not just one. Overall, a really nice story and a highlight for the villian.

Taking Wing (#14-16): After Spidey's break with the registration side, he's wanted by the law and not safe in his own secret identity. This is bad new because Deborah Whitman is writing a tell-all book and the Vulture comes to battle. We also have Peter talking to Betty Brandt now that the secret' sout. This is decent, but not spectacular.

Sandblasted (#17-19): The first part of, "Back in the Black" which finds Spidey donning a Black costume after Aunt May was shot. The Sandman comes to Spidey for help as his father's been framed for Murder and Uncle Ben is the corpse. This is a solid story with a mystery that ties back into earlier issues.

Running out of Time/Consuming Passions/Predator/Prey (#20-22): Essentially a three part story where Spidey races to save Flash Thompson and the truth about Miss Ero is revealed. This one is okay, but a bit padded.

Fighting Words (#23): After Peter Parker revealed his identity, J. Jonah Jameson was furious as he realized he's been paying to take pictures of himself. He sued Parker, and when Robbie Robinson called out his overzealous attacks, Jameson fired him. This leads to Peter inviting him to a meeting where the two have it out in an epic fashion that's just not possible with the construct of the secret identity. It's a fun and satisfying issue but with dark overtones about Peter's overall feelings. This would stand up a lot better if it wasn't done totally undone. But enough about that....

Sandhman; Year One (Annual): the Three part Sandman story set up this Annual, which examines the Sandman's origin. It's a solid story. It won't blow you away, but there's some nice phrases, and the art has some really nice touches that make it worth reading.

Overall, this is a good book. Peter David comes off as a pro, even though his ability to stare this ship was quite limited, he manages to tell some real solid stories in this run.







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Spider-Man: The Death of Jean DeWolff by Peter David

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects the original four-issue story arc involving the murder of Spider-man Ally Jean DeWolff as well as the follow up three-issue story a couple of years later when the killer was released.

DeWolff has been a sort of female Nick Fury-type character with a certain gruffness but a love for our hero. Peter David fills out her backstory and then kills her off to set off the mystery. The mystery and the continued activities of the killer push Spider-man into the edge and into conflict with Daredevil.

The follow-up story is also good, though only slightly related. Overall, this is a worthy story arc and fine collection of 1980s Spider-man comics.



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